Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Knicks Set to Face Hawks in NBA Playoffs

4/13/2026

47 10 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The New York Knicks will face the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the National Basketball Association (NBA) playoffs, starting April 18.
The Hawks finished sixth in the Eastern Conference after resting key players and losing to the Miami Heat.
This sparked speculation about the Hawks' preference to face the Knicks over the Cavaliers.
The Knicks finished 53-29 and won the season series 2-1 against the Hawks.

History

Historical Context

The NBA introduced a new playoff format in 1984, expanding the tournament to 16 teams and emphasizing matchups and seeding. This change allowed the Boston Celtics, who finished the regular season with a 62-20 record, to secure home-court advantage and ultimately win the championship. Today, teams like the Atlanta Hawks continue to adapt their strategies, reflecting the ongoing evolution of playoff tactics in professional basketball.

1 of 2

Story summary

The New York Knicks will face the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the National Basketball Association (NBA) playoffs, starting April 18.
The Hawks finished sixth in the Eastern Conference after resting key players and losing to the Miami Heat.
This sparked speculation about the Hawks' preference to face the Knicks over the Cavaliers.
The Knicks finished 53-29 and won the season series 2-1 against the Hawks.

1 / 2